DRIVERS (R)
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Even with lots of work still do be done this list have reached a state
where it must be considered one of the most complete and accurate ever assembled on
the subject. This has only been possible due to the tremendous help from people
all over the world, each of them experts of their local drivers and events.
Short biographies of drivers with BLUE background, will come up in due time.
If you have any information about any driver with GREEN background, please
contact me!
Baron Vladimir Sergeïevitch (de) Rachewsky/Racowski (RUS) |
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* 21 jun 1892
† Feb 1967 |
Dinaburg (Daugavpils, Lithuania)
? |
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Son of a Russian engineers corps Colonel who died 1904 in the Russo-Japanese War, Vladimir was born 1892 in Lithuania, Russian Empire (the
city was called Dvinsk from 1893 onwards). In 1919 he and his sister (who was the beloved of the grandson of the Tzar) emigrated from Russia and finally settled in Paris in 1920.
He started racing in France 1924 at the GP de l’Ouverture with a Peugeot and entered the 1925 Provence GP with a Rolland-Pilain
In 1926 Racowski started racing in USA on wooden ovals. His first race was on May 1st on the Atlantic City Speedway with Bugatti,
belonged to Charles M. Ward (DNF). Rachewsky was a friend of Luigi Chinetti and together they started at the 1928 Spa 24h with an Alfa Romeo 6C1500 (DNF).
In 1929 he married Harriet Straus, daughter of a Chicago banker.
Despite Vladimir was a wealthy man, he was a "face" on the Lucky Strike tobacco ads in 1930.
Died 1967 in Paris or New York.
(With problems transliterating Cyrillic letters into the Roman alphabet the spelling of his name differs a lot.)
| | (Info supplied by Oleksiy Hrushko/Vladislav Shaikhnurov)
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1925: DNF Provence GP (2000cc) /
DNA San Sebastian GP
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Ignazio Radice Fossati (I) |
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* ?
† 4 Oct 1936 |
Milano (Milan)
Monza |
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The Radice Fossatis are an old family from Milan dating from the
times of Charlemagne. They have been often involved in the political and
the sporting life of the city of Milan.
Radice Fossati died in an accident on the Monza Autodrome during a record attempt in his 1100cc Maserati when a dog crossed the track. Trying to
take avoiding action, he lost control, the car overturned bursting into flames.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1936: DNS Coppa Ciano (Voiturette) /
DNF Modena (Voiturette)
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Carl Raetz (D) |
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From Köln (Cologne). In later years Raetz raced MG sports cars in German events.
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1931: DNA Eifel GP
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Gérard Casimir Ragot (F) |
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* 27 Dec 1901
† 25 Mar 1972 |
Bordeaux, Gironde
Eysines, Gironde |
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From Bordeaux. Builder of Motorcycle and Automobile Specials.
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| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
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1932: 5 Comminges GP (Voiturette)
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"Ralph" (Jean Marcel Marie Robert Rousselet) (F) |
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* 24 Apr 1904
† 19 Jul 1984 |
Cublize, Rhône
Neuilly-Sur-Seine, Seine |
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Rousselet began racing in a Bugatti T37A from the spring of 1930 taking part in several hill climbs.
He then bought a T35C and lent it to the young motorcycle driver "Eddoura" who crashed fatally with it at the Dauphine Grand Prix.
Rousselet continued racing the T37A while the T35C was factory rebuilt for the 1932 season.
(There were three drivers, including Henri Marie Sabbag, using the same pseudonym "Ralph". We'll try to sort it out, what races each did.)
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| (Info supplied by Michael Müller & André Reine) |
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1931: DNA Dauphiné Circuit (1500cc)
1932: DNF Provence Trophy (Voiturette) /
DNA Picardie GP /
DNF Lorraine GP (2000cc) /
DNF Comminges GP (2000cc) /
DNF Antibes GP
1933: 6 Provence Trophy
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Maurizio Ramassotto (I) |
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* 7 Nov 1884
† 1 Jul 1951 |
Sangano
Torino (Turin) |
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| (Info supplied by Reinhard Windeler) |
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1923: DNF Cremona Circuit (1500cc)
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Ramos - SEE: da Silva Ramos
Oldemar Ramos - SEE: Oldemar da Silva Ramos
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Giulio Ramponi (I/GB) |
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* 8 Jan 1902
† 17 Dec 1986 |
Milan
Nelspruit, Eastern Transvaal, South Africa |
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Italian automobile technician and racing driver. Riding mechanic and co-driver for Antonio Ascari. Alfa Romeo chief mechanic and co-driver for Campari.
Worked temporary for for Tim Birkin, then back to Alfa Romeo. Was chief mechanic for Whitney Straight and Dick Seaman. Became a British citizen.
Continued working as technical consultant to various companies after the war. Moved to South Africa in 1968.
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1928: 6* Coppa Acerbo
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Friherre (Baron) Johan Ronald Ramsay (FIN/S) |
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* 11 Aug 1903
† 18 Oct 1974 |
Tali, Helsinge (Helsingin maalaiskunta)
Västerhaninge, Stockholm Sweden |
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This Finno-Swedish nobleman was interested in agriculture and after getting his Master's degree in agriculture and
forestry in 1927 he started to take care of his mansion at Tali (now part of Helsinki). A good tennis player and fencer, Ramsey had also an interest in cars.
He was married in 1928 with nurse Dagmar Ruin and the next year the couple visited the USA where they were introduced to Henry Ford who gave them
an inside view of the car industry and also donated a car to them.
As a completely unknown, Ramsey took a sensational second position at the 1931 Swedish GP in a Chrysler Imperial. Ramsey proved to be a good
racing driver but his career was quite short as he understood that serious racing demanded a real racing car,
a step he refrained from taking as he was driving just for fun. Moved to Sweden in the 1960s and became a Swedish citizen.
Lived in Västerhaninge south of Stockholm where he probably also died in 1974.
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1931: 2 Swedish Winter GP (Ice race)
1932: DNF Swedish Winter GP (Ice race) /
DNF Finnish GP /
DNF Munkkiniemenajo
1935: 3 Finnish GP
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"Raph" (Comte Georges Raphaël Béthenod de Montbressieux) (F) |
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* 8 Feb 1910
† 16 Jun 1994 |
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Neuilly-sur-Marne |
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Born in Buenos Aires, son of the count of Montbressieux, a rich silk-maker married to an Argentinian.
(He is sometimes listed in the motor sports literature under "de las Casas", his mother's name.)
After three years of cyclecar racing in Amilcar, Salmson and Rally, he went into a partnership
with Sommer to buy a Tipo B Alfa-Romeo for the 1935 season.
A "misunderstanding" with Enzo Ferrari led to two cars appearing and "Raph" had to buy the other one for 150,000 F.
He raced it succesfully in 1935 changing to a Maserati V8 RI for 1936, but was unhappy with that car
sold in the USA after the Vanderbilt Cup. He raced Talbot
and Delahaye sportscars until the 1937 Le Mans 24hrs race where he
crashed badly, remaining paralyzed in the legs for six months.
He joined Dusio's Torino team for 1938, racing Maserati voiturettes and Ecurie
Bleue racing Delahayes.
He was very active in 1946/47 racing Maseratis under the Naphtra Course banner winning at
Nantes and participating in the first two South American expeditions
with a win at Interlagos. He bought one of the new Talbot-Lago 26C in
1948, but, after a good second at Comminges, he crashed badly at Albi fracturing his skull.
He never fully recovered, suffering longtime from amnesia.
He raced occasionally in 1949 a Delahaye and a Gordini and sold
his Talbot in Brasil upon his last trip there early in 1950 and quit
racing. Plagued by financial problems, he became handyman and chauffeur
for his lifelong friend, Maurice Chevalier.
After the latter's death, he worked for an agency renting high-class cars on the
French Riviera, retiring in 1984.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1935: 8 Tunis GP /
2 Orleans GP /
2 GP de l´U.M.F. /
6 Lorraine GP /
7 Marne GP /
8 Dieppe GP /
2 Comminges GP /
DNA Coppa Acerbo /
DNF Nice GP
1936: DNF Pau GP /
DNA Penya Rhin GP /
DNA Eifel GP /
DNA Hungarian GP /
DNA Deauville GP /
DNA Coppa Acerbo /
DSQ Vanderbilt Cup
1938: 4 Pau GP /
5 / 10 Tripoli (Voiturette / GP) /
2 Targa Florio (Voiturette) /
DNS Picardie (Voiturette) /
11* Napels (Voiturette) /
DNF Albi (Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Ciano (Voiturette) /
11 Swiss GP /
DNF La Baule (Voiturette) /
DNA Milan (Voiturette) /
DNF Donington GP
1939: DNA Pau GP /
9 French GP /
5 German GP /
DNF Swiss GP
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Dino Ravasio (I) |
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* 13 Apr 1892
† 5 May 1966 |
Pontida, Bergamo
Verona |
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From 1930 to 1964 Lancia concessionaire in Verona
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1927: DNF Pozzo Circuit
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Harold Bertram "Harry" Raynes (GB) |
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* 9 Dec 1895
† 19 Feb 1953 |
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Mandeville, Jamaica |
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(Biographical data probably correct but needs confirmation)
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| (Info supplied by Adam Ferrington) |
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1931: DNA Dieppe GP
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del Re - SEE: del Re
Eduard Reichstein (D) |
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* 1888 - † 1974. Director of the Brennabor automobile factory.
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1926: 6 German GP (1500cc)
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Otto Reif (D) |
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* 15 Apr 1884
† 8 Apr 1951 |
Suhl, Thüringen.
Berlin-Schmargendorf |
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Died in a stroke 1951.
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1925: DNF Taunus GP (2000cc)
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"Jean Renaldi" (André Louis Théodore Carré) (F) |
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* 29 Jan 1908
† 24 Aug 1989
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Sillé le Guillaume, Pays de la Loire
Neuilly-sur-Seine, Île-de-France |
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Renaldi took part in several Grand Prix events in various Bugatti, one of them bought from Marcel Lehoux.
He raced under the aliases "Jean Renaldi" and "Inlander" (often confused with Zehender).
Also took part with Robert Brunet in the 1934 Le Mans 24h race in a 2.3 L Bugatti T55. At 2 am while in 2nd position Brunet spun the car into the ditch and had to retire.
Carré retired from racing in the late 1930's even if his last race was the Le Mans older pilots rally in 1964 which he won with his co-pilot José Rosinski.
Carré was a founder and the treasurer of the Le Mans racing drivers club for many years and his factory premises used to host "Lofty" England and the Jaguar team during their Le Mans visits.
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| (Info supplied by Bruno Carré & Jean-Charles Colombier) |
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1933: 9 Dieppe GP /
12 (2000cc) La Baule GP
1934: DNA Dieppe GP /
5 GP de l´U.M.F.
1935: 4 GP de l´U.M.F.
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Johannes Willem "Jan" Rens (NL) |
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* 29 Jun 1896
† 9 Apr 1942 |
Batavia (Jakarta), Java
Groß Rosen, Lower Silesia |
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Jan Rens was born on Java. He lived at Rhenen in the Netherlands. Raced as independent a Bugatti T51 2300 cc which he had bought from Armand Hug.
Died at Groß Rosen concentration camp 1942.
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| (Source Bart Oosterling / Müller) |
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1936: DNA Eifel GP /
DNF German GP
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"Res" / "Roger Res" (Roger Edouard de Soussay) F) |
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* 15 Jan 1908
† 16 Feb 1979 |
Paris 08e
Vannes, Morbihan |
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| (Info supplied by André Reine) |
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1934: DNA Picardie (Voiturette)
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Carlo Emanuele Restelli (I) |
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* 22 Feb 1901
† ? |
Varese
? |
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From Como. Participiated mainy in Rallies.
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1934: DNA Biella GP
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Enrico Restelli (I) |
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* 20 Feb 1885
† 17 Feb 1956 |
?
? |
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| (Info supplied by Reinhard Windeler) |
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1921: DNF Garda Circuit (1500cc)
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de Rham - SEE: De Rham
Richards - SEE: Rose-Richards
Christian Riecken (D) |
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* 1880 - † 25 Nov Jul 1950
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1926: 2 German GP
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Douglas van Riet M.B.E. (ZA) |
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* 15 Mar 1907
† 4 Sep 2003 |
Kalk Bay, Cape Town
Pinelands, Cape Town |
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Started off with motorcycles mainly BSA, with great success.
Was with Massacurati the top South Africa driver in in the 1930's.
Van Riet Was also a top pilot flying with Cobhams Flying Circus.
Raced in 1934 South African Grand Prix in 1930 Austin Ulster to which he had fitted
the supercharged engine from a Brookland Austin 747 cc "rubber duck".
Raced a 1933 Indianapolis Studebaker in the 1935 Kimberley 100.
Set the intertown speed record Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in 1935.
Winner of 1937 Rand GP (handicap).
Awarded a M.B.E. after WW2 Major van Riet later became harbour master at Gordons Bay in South Africa and
designed some of the most successful rescue boats for the National Sea Rescue Institute craft.
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| (Info and picture supplied by Robert Young) |
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1937: 1 Rand GP (handicap)
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Ferdinando "Nando" Righetti (I) |
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* 6 Jul 1911
† 26 Jul 1966 |
Modena
Modena |
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Righetti was a reasonably fast amateur driver who played an
almost unique role in the period straddling WW2. He was the driver whom
Enzo Ferrari and Vittorio Stanguellini called for help when an untried
car needed to be raced. He surely was professional and reliable, but he never
showed neither the speed nor the technical knowledge which are necessary
for such a delicate task, but he was a personal friend of
both the Modenese racing car makers.
The calm and elegant Righetti, always impeccable in
his white overalls and immaculate moccasins and a silk scarf around his
neck, came into notice at Grand Prix di Modena in 1936 when he finished
second in an obsolete Maserati 4CS magically prepared by Stanguellini.
The doors of the Scuderia Ferrari and then of Alfa Corse were opened for
him. He drove for them, sporadically and only in sports car races,
mainly the 6-cylinder 2500, winning the Targa Abruzzi in 1939. He drove
for Stanguellini and Ferrari during 1947, for Ferrari in 1948 and went
back to Stanguellini in 1949. He later became the President of the
Automobile Club Modena and drove a Maserati too - thus serving the third
racing car maker in Modena as well.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1936: 6 Lucca (Voiturette) /
3 Modena (Voiturette)
1937: DNA Florence GP (Voiturette) /
9 Milan (Voiturette) /
4 Albi (Voiturette) /
3 (heat) San Remo (Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Acerbo (Voiturette) /
4 Lucca (Voiturette) /
3 (heat) Campione D'Italia (Voiturette)
1938: DNF Tripoli (Voiturette) /
DNF Targa Florio (Voiturette)
1939: DNS Tripoli (Voiturette)
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Mario Agostino Riolo (I) |
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From Varallo Sesia, province of Vercelli. Name sometimes written as double surname: Agostini Riolo.
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1926: DNF Alessandria GP (1500cc)
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Jan Ripper (PL) |
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* 13 Jul 1903
† 24 May 1987 |
Kraków
Zakopane |
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Jan, son of Wilhelm Ripper, was born in Kraków.
In 1921 he made his racing debut at the Cracow-Zakopane motor cycle race. In 1928 together with Michal Harkawy he became the first Pole participating in the Monte Carlo Rally.
In 1938 he won the Rally Poland. He bought a Bugatti T37A and used it in voiturette racing and hill climbing, winning the Krzyzowa, Ojców and Tatra hill climbs.
After The Second World War he lived in Zakopane together with wife, Stanisława, where he also ran a workshop and built his own specials.
He won his last rally at the age of 76.
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| (Info supplied by Piotr Jurczyk) |
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1930: 3 Lwow GP
1931: DNF Lwow GP
1932: 2 Lwow GP (Voiturette)
1933: 4 Lwow (Voiturette) /
DNF Czech (Voiturette)
1934: DNA Czech GP (Voiturette)
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de la Rochette - SEE: Marcel Delarochette
(Adolf) Ralph Roese (D) |
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* 27 Jul 1900
† 8 Feb 1949/50? |
?
? |
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Ralph Roese came from Mettmann, Düsseldorf, son of a master fitter. He started racing motorcycles in the late 1920s.
He privately raced a 750 BMW during the thirties and was one of the most successful
German private drivers in that class, being German champion in 1931 and 1932. From 1934 onwards he raced 2-liter
BMW 328 sports cars where he 1938 won the 2 litre class of the Grand Prix of Antwerp. The same year he won the
Frontières GP at Chimay in a BMW. The following year, at the Eifelrennen,
with his BMW finished first in the 1.5-liter class. During the 13th Frontières GP at Chimay on 28 May,
he again won in a 2-liter BMW sports car.
In the shortened 1940 Mille Miglia he came third, sharing his drive with Adolf Brudes.
Shortly after the war in 1946, he was racing again. 8 Feb 1949 when Roese and three friends were going to pick up a
new race car he crashed with another car near Neuwied Dierdorf crossing .
A fuel can bursted and Roese and his three friends all succumed in the following fire.
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| (Info supplied by Hans Etzrodt) |
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1938: 1 Frontières (Voiturette)
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Anthony Peter Roylance "Tony" Rolt (GB) |
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* 16 Oct 1918
† 6 Feb 2008
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Bordon, Hampshire
Warwick, Warwickshire |
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Rolt was a very gifted amateur driver who in 1938 bought
Prince Chula's ERA-B (known as "Remus") and at an age of 19 he won the
British Empire Trophy at Donington.
During WW2, as a Lieutenant in a Rifle Brigade, he was captured by the Germans on 26 May 1940.
He was sent to the the Colditz castle on 14 July 1943 where he laid down the famous
plans to build a glider in the attic to escape with.
After the war Rolt resumed racing with ta Aitken-Alfa Spl. purchased
from Wallington. Then he begun a close association with Freddie Dixon and
Rob Walker, setting an engineering partnership with the former and racing
Walker's 1926 Delage with ERA-E engine. From 1952 to 1955
Rolt raced Walker's Connaughts on which he was tremendously successful in
local British events.
Unfortunately, his prospering business obliged him to restrict his career mainly
to these kind of events, though he won the 1953 Le Mans 24hrs with a Jaguar and in 1954 he finished second the
at Le Mans and at the Reims 12 hrs with Duncan Hamilton, his companion of practical jokes.
Rolt and Dixon were associated to the project of the Ferguson 4WD touring and racing cars.
Dixon soon left, but Rolt stayed on to oversee its final success. Stirling Moss
asserts that Rolt would have been among the top GP drivers if he raced regularly.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1937: 9 JCC 200 GP
1938: DNF Cork (Voiturette) /
9 Swiss GP (Voiturette) /
7 JCC 200 (Voiturette + GP) /
DNF Siam Challenge (Voiturette) /
DNF Mountain
1939: 1 Empire Trophy (Handicap) /
5 Brooklands Road Championship /
DNF* Nuffield Trophy (Voiturette) /
DNA Swiss GP (Voiturette)
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Giovanni Romano ( ) |
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Most likely Emilio Romano see above
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1930: DNS Alessandria GP
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Archimede Rosa (I) |
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* 25 Sep 1899
† 29 Oct 1953 |
Brescia
Brescia |
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Archimede Rosa became involved with motorsport as a test driver at O.M. in the early 1920s and later he became race driver for the company,
achieved very good results specially at the Mille Miglia: 3rd with Danieli 1927, 2nd with Mazzotti in 1928 and 3rd with Morandi in 1931.
He also won the Giro di Sicilia three times. After O.M. retired from racing, Rosa raced sports cars for Scuderia Ferrari, finishing third with Chiron at the
1934 Mille Miglia and 2nd at the 1935 Targa Abruzzi. Later he raced for Gruppo Genovese San Giorgio as well as Scuderia Maremmana.
After the war he continued racing until 1949.
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1925: DNF Rome GP (2000cc)
1927: 3* Garda Circuit
1929: DNA Targa Florio /
DNF Mugello Circuit (2000cc) /
11 Coppa Ciano
1930: DNA Targa Florio
1932: DNS? Rome GP /
DNF Targa Florio
1935: DNF Tripoli GP
1936: DNF Tripoli GP /
8 Milan (Voiturette)
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Vittorio "Victorio" Rosa (I/RA) |
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* 1896
† ? |
?
? |
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From Milano. Victorio Rosa came to Argentina from Italy in 1926 as the driver/mechanic of an Alfa Romeo P2,
which was sent to Argentina for a propaganda tour at the instigation of Alfa Romeo agent for
Argentina Juan Alberto Roccatagliata. The Alfa Romeo P2 took part in two
races, at the General San Martin oval in Buenos Aires and in Rafaela.
Rosa won the first and lost a wheel in the second. The car returned to
Italy without Rosa who stayed over and opened a mechanical shop.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1925: 1 Eifel GP
1934: 3 Rio de Janeiro GP
1935: DNF Rio de Janeiro GP
1936: DNF Rio de Janeiro GP /
5 São Paulo GP
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Harry Rose (formerly Rosenson) (GB) |
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* 27 Aug 1906
† 6 Jan 1993 |
Old Trafford, Manchester
Fallowfield, Manchester |
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Born in Old Trafford, Manchester as Harry Rosenson.
Son of founder of leading UK mail order company "Great Universal Stores Ltd." (GUS).
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1935: DNF Donington GP
4 Mountain
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Rose-Itier - SEE: Itier
Willy Rosenstein (D) |
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* 28 Jan 1892
† 23 May 1949 |
Stuttgart
Rustenburg, South Africa |
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1930: DNA Eifel GP
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Thomas Essery "Tim" Rose-Richards (GB) |
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* 6 Jun 1902
† 7 Oct 1940 |
Mayals, Glamorgan, Wales
English Channel |
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Sports cars driver who took part in the Le Mans 24h race five times, finishing third 1931-33. Also took part in GP races with a Bugatti. Raced at Eifel GP 1935 for the ERA works team. Winner of the 1935 BRDC Gold Star.
When the war started Rose-Richards joined the Fleet Air Arm. Stationed with the 765 Squadron at Sandbanks, Poole*, his Supermarine Walrus was shot down by a Heinkel 111 and
crashed into the sea 8 miles south of Anvil Point, Dorset, on 7 October 1940.
* Most Internet sources say Lee-on-the-Solent. According to Ray Sturtivant's The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm the squadron had moved to Sandbanks 26 August.
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1931: DNA French GP
1932: 3* Le Mans 24h (sports car)
1933: 2 Mannin Moar /
DNF Mountain
1934: DNS Tripoli GP /
DNF Mannin Moar /
4 Dieppe GP
1935: DNF Mannin Moar
3 Eifel (Voiturette) /
1* BRDC 500 Miles (Handicap)
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Bernd Rosemeyer (D) |
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* 14 Oct 1909
† 28 Jan 1938
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Lingen, Niedersachsen
Frankfurt-Darmstadt Autobahn |
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In sheer natural speed and car control, was he the best ever? The only car Rosemeyer ever raced was the
monstrous rear-engined Auto Union, a car that even Nuvolari found hard to master. Yet, in a meteoric career
Rosemeyer established himself as the world's fastest driver and Germany's most popular GP driver ever.
Starting in 1935 he was challenging for the lead in only his second race. In 1936, in his first full season,
he clinched the European Championship and forced the mighty Mercedes to retire from racing in the middle of the
season. On the infamous Nürburgring track, the ultimate challenge for any driver, Rosemeyer's abilities came to
his own. He held the lead every single time he raced there and he finished 2nd, 4th, 1st, 1st, 1st and 3rd. No one
(with the possible exception of Gilles Villeneuve) has been able to fully copy Rosemeyer's driving style. In total
disregard for the laws of physics the thrill seeking driver, whose favourite number was "13", threw the heavy
car around in impossible angles. While he made the occasional mistake, his 10 victories during a time of just
two years show his class. Sadly his career was cut short by a 400 km/h crash during a world speed record
attempt in early 1938.
Click here For analysis of the crash
Click here for full biography.
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1935: DNF (heat) AVUS GP /
2 Eifel GP /
DNF/5* French GP /
DNA Penya Rhin GP /
4 German GP /
2 Coppa Acerbo /
3 Swiss GP /
DNF/3* Italian GP /
5 Spanish GP /
1 Czech GP
1936: DNF Monaco GP /
DNF Tripoli GP /
DNF Tunis GP /
5 Penya Rhin GP /
1 Eifel GP /
2 Hungarian GP /
1 German GP /
4* Coppa Ciano /
1 Coppa Acerbo /
1 Swiss GP /
1 Großer Bergpreis von Deutschland" (hillclimb) /
1 Italian GP /
1 Feldbergrennen (hillclimb)
EUROPEAN CHAMPION 1936.
1937: 5 South African GP (handicap) /
2 Grosvenor GP (handicap) /
2 Tripoli GP /
4 AVUS GP /
1 Eifel GP /
1 Vanderbilt Cup /
3 German GP /
DNF/4* Monaco GP /
1 Coppa Acerbo /
DNF/5* Swiss GP /
3 Italian GP /
DNF/3* Czech GP /
1 Donington GP
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Carlo Rossi (I) |
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From Milan. Raced an Amilcar in 1926 only. Not to be confused by Carlo Rosti.
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1926: 5 Savio Circuit (1100cc)
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André Emile Henri Rossignol (F) |
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* 8 Aug 1890
† 5 Dec 1960 |
Paris
Paris |
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Born in Paris where he also died at an age of 70. Winner of the 1925 & 1926 Le Mans 24 Hours .
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| (Info supplied by Jean-Charles Colombier & Dave Marren) |
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1930: 8 Picardie GP
1932: DNC La Baule GP
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Rosso Cerami - SEE: Count di Cerami
Maurice Rost (F) |
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* 13 Oct 1886
† 31 Oct 1958 |
Clichy, Ile-de-France
Le Vésignet, Ile-de-France |
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Rost was one of the pioneer aviators, working for the Deperdussin factory.
After the First World War he became interested in motor racing, doing competitions from 1923 onwards, racing Georges Irat the first five years, having a works contract with the company.
His first victory was the 1923 Circuit des Routes Pavées sports car race. He won that race again in 1925 and 1927, He retired from the 1926 Le Mans 24h race. His greatest victory was at
the 1927 San Sebastian 12h race racing together with Marcel Lehoux. Winner of the 3 litre heat of the 1926 Province GP.
7th in the 1927 Coupe de la Commission Sportive and won the Grand Prix of Morocco in 1927.
At the 1931 Le Mans 24h Rost raced for the works Bugatti team. On the 21st lap doing 210 km/h on the straight the left rear tyre lost the tread and it wound itself around
the brake drum. As the tyre burst the car left the track, went over a ditch, through a fence and into the spectators. One person was killed and four injured. Rost was thrown out of the
car and badly injured himelf. After that he retired from racing.
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1926: 1 Provence GP (3000cc)
1927: DNA Provence GP /
7 Sporting Commission Cup
1928: DNA San Sebastian GP
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André Rougeyron (F) |
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* 22 Sep 1899
† 29 Dec 1967 |
Domfront, Orne
La Ferté-Macé, Orne |
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Car engineer, race official, fighter pilot, member of the resistance and, later, the mayor of Domfront. As a race marshall,
He was wounded by a crashing car in the 1958 GP de Caen and lost a leg as a consequence.
He died in a road accident at La Ferté-Macé 1967.
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| (Info supplied by Richard A. Salomon) |
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1931: DNF La Baule GP
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Louis Henri Marie Rougier (F) |
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* 22 Oct 1876
† 22 Jul 1968 |
Marseille
Marseille |
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| (Info supplied by Reinhard Windeler) |
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1923: DNF French GP /
DNF European GP
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de Rothschild - SEE: "Philippe"
Marcel Rousselet - SEE: "Ralph"
Mme. Fernande Roux (F) |
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* 8 Jun 1901
† 2 Nov 1957 |
Paris
Paris |
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Mme. Fernande Roux raced at least from 1931 to 1939, supported by two different husbands. First wife of a wealthy Parisian surgeon, Mr. Roux, she later
she became fashinated in Maurice Mestivier, after a divorce she married him while still keeping the name Roux for racing. Raced
a Amilcar Pégase in French sportscar racing in 1936, entries including the Marne GP and the GP de France. In 1937 she
raced it at Montlehéry and in the Paris-St Raphaël Féminin andMestivier convinced her to buy a surviving 2.5L Grand Prix
Amilcar. With a Delahaye engine she took part with it in the 1938 Le Mans 24h race.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1931: 5 Tunis GP (Voiturette) /
DNF Casablanca GP (Voiturette)
1932: 5 Provence Trophy (Voiturette)
1939: 14 Coupe de Paris
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Jean Roux - SEE: "Savora"
"Rover" - SEE: Lelio Pellegrini
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Ennio Ruffo della Floresta (I) |
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* 1 Feb 1895
† 25 May 1945
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Messina
Borgo San Pancrazio, Messina |
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1927: DNF Coppa Messina (1500cc)
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Amedeo Ruggeri (I) |
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* 14 Jun 1889
† 7 Dec 1932 |
Bologna
Montlhéry, Île-de-France |
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Amedeo had been a reconnaissance pilot during the WW1 and began racing motorcycles in 1920, soon becoming famous. He was considered as part of the group of the Italian aces
with Arcangeli, Pietro Ghersi, Varzi, Nuvolari and Amilcare Moretti. He was a specialist of big engines, for instance he won the Circuito del Lario in 1921 and the 1922
Gran Premio di Monza on a 1000cc Harley-Davidson. With five wins and two third places he became Italian Champion of the 1000cc class riding an Indian in 1923. Amedeo had
become a true star, popular among crowds for his forceful and aggressive style and his picturesque behavior. For instance, he was accompanied to the races by a little
monkey as a mascot. Ruggeri's motorcycling career slowed down after 1927, but it continued sporadically until 1931, winning a total of 45 victories. Ruggeri's family was
growing continuously (he had eight children between 1913 and 1932). He needed, as a consequence, an increasingly larger income that racing motorcycles could not provide,
so he took up racing motorcars in 1929, having purchased a tipo 26 Maserati. He drove two busy seasons with the Maserati obtaining good placings but no victories, and
also drove an OM for the team of the Roman dealer Bornigia, before switching to an old Talbot Grand Prix car, formerly of the Scuderia Materassi, for 1931. Towards the
end of that season, Ruggeri was signed as a Factory driver by Maserati. He won the 2-litre heat at the Monza Grand Prix and the next season he competed at the top
international level in the European Grand Prix season. In December 1932, Ruggeri and his team mate Fagioli were scheduled for an attempt to the World Hour Speed record
on the Montlhéry track at the wheel of the awesome 16-cylinder V5 5-litre Maserati. He lost control of his car at the exit of the west banking. The car went on the
inside and somersaulted several times ejecting the driver, who died instantly.
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1929: 2 Tripoli GP (Voiturette) /
6 Alessandria GP /
DNF Targa Florio /
3 Mugello Circuit (Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Ciano /
8 (1)Monza GP (Voiturette) /
DNF Cremona Circuit (Voiturette)
1930: 8 Alessandria GP /
DNF Targa Florio /
5 (heat) Monza GP
1931: DNS Alessandria GP /
DNA Targa Florio /
7* Italian GP /
DNF (heat) Rome GP (2000cc) /
DNF Coppa Ciano /
DNF Coppa Acerbo /
1 Monza GP (2000cc)
1932: DNF Monaco GP /
DNS Rome GP /
5 Targa Florio /
8 Italian GP /
DNF/3* German GP (GP/Voiturette) /
DNF Coppa Ciano (Cyclecar) /
DNF/5* Coppa Acerbo /
9 Monza GP /
DNF Marseille GP
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Sergio Rusca (I) |
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* 4 Nov 1909
† 1975 |
Bioggio, Canton Ticino, Switzerland
Bogotà, Colombia |
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| (Info supplied by Alessandro Silva) |
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1931: 3 (heat)/DNF Geneva GP (2000cc) /
DNA Monza GP (2000cc)
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Salvatore Russo - SEE: "Glauco"
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Vincenzo Russo (I) |
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From Napoli (Napels)
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1934: DNA Napels GP
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Hermann Rützler (A) |
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* 20 Jun 1883
† 6 Jun 1960 |
Mellau
Wien (Vienna) |
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Hermann Rützler was one of six children whose mother died when he was 14. He moved to be with his photographer father in Dornbirn and was soon captivated by the emerging technology of the motor car. His youthful exuberance
on the road fell foul of the law for a variety of offences. In 1908 he had a shotgun wedding but his wife died a few days after childbirth. In the same year he took over his father’s photographic studio but a couple of
fires resulted in him moving briefly to Leipzig in 1910 before settling in Russia where he married again. It was here that he first raced a car and was involved in the establishment of the Imperial Russian motor vehicle
force. As an Austrian he was interned during the First World War but he eventually managed to escape back to Austria. He joined Steyr and started competing for the firm from 1920 to 1926 in various events including the
Targa Florio. He continued with Steyr as a test driver and race director and worked with Dr Porsche who joined in 1929. In 1931 Rützler opened his own garage at 41 Webgasse in Vienna. In 1939 he divorced his wife and
married for the third time. A year later his business moved to 29-31 Schanzstrasse and by the end of the decade he co-founded the Elektro-Diesel company which he then left in 1953. He moved to Perchtoldsdorf where he
was buried in 1960.
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| (Info supplied by Simon Davis) |
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1922: 3 (15) Targa Florio (2000cc)
1923: DNF Targa Florio
1924: 7 Targa Florio (4500cc)
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© 2024 Leif Snellman - Last updated: 14.11.2024
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